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South Korea's Foreign Minister Details Foreign Policy Focus on US Alliance, Regional Ties, and Defense Enhancements
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun affirmed the U.S. alliance as the foundation of its foreign and security policy in a May 6, 2026, speech. He addressed recent speculations and outlined efforts to enhance defense capabilities and trilateral cooperation. The remarks come amid signs of friction over intelligence sharing and other issues.
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South Korea will continue to develop its alliance with the United States as the cornerstone of its foreign and security policy, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated on May 6, 2026, in Seoul. U.S. relations in recent months.
U.S. relations as arising from both attachment to the alliance and specific disputes, such as intelligence sharing and trade investigations.
U.S. He added that South Korea would accommodate diverse views in a balanced manner, manage pending issues through close and frequent communication based on mutual respect, and further strengthen trust and friendship in accordance with common sense and principles.
Cho outlined South Korea's defense initiatives, including advanced capabilities and OPCON transition, as part of broader efforts to enhance peninsula security amid alliance dynamics. Seoul's initiatives also encompass strengthening advanced defense capabilities, pursuing the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, and advancing the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON), according to Cho's statements reported by Yonhap.
U.S. and Japan. At the same time, South Korea will develop trilateral cooperation among South Korea, China and Japan, Cho said.
U.S. restricted intelligence sharing on North Korea, citing a leak of classified information on a uranium enrichment facility in Kusong by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, Yonhap reported. The two sides have been at odds over treatment of e-commerce giant Coupang, which has come under investigation in Seoul over a massive data breach.
